Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Sep 15: A large number of students preparing for competitive examinations took to the streets in Bihar's capital Patna on Tuesday, demanding cancellation of the recently conducted Bihar Police Sub-Inspector recruitment examination and raising several other demands.
The protest was held near Gandhi Maidan and intensified around JP Golambar, where demonstrators reportedly clashed with police personnel during the agitation. The students are particularly opposing the recruitment examination held for 1,799 Sub-Inspector posts and have demanded that it be scrapped and conducted afresh through a transparent process.
The protesting candidates said the interests of aspirants should remain at the centre of the recruitment process and demanded greater transparency in the examination procedure. They alleged that irregularities had affected the recruitment process and maintained that a fresh examination would ensure a fair opportunity for all candidates.
The protesters also demanded cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) 70th Combined Competitive Examination.
Students gathered near JP Golambar under the leadership of various student organisations before taking to the roads. During the demonstration, protesters blocked the main road between JP Golambar and Ramgulam Chowk, affecting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
The agitation also affected traffic on Ashok Rajpath and other major roads in the surrounding areas. Police deployed a large contingent from JP Golambar to Dakbungalow Chowk to maintain law and order and regulate traffic.
Tensions reportedly escalated near JP Golambar when protesters and police personnel became involved in a scuffle. Details regarding injuries or detentions were not immediately available.
The protesting candidates have also announced plans to march towards and gherao the Chief Minister's residence, seeking cancellation of the Bihar Police Daroga main examination. Several students in Patna have reportedly been staging protests and hunger strikes for the past few days as part of the growing agitation over their demands.
Meanwhile, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) is investigating alleged irregularities in the Bihar Police SI recruitment examination. According to the information available, the results of 301 candidates across 79 rows and rooms have come under the agency's scrutiny.
The EOU is also examining alleged irregularities reported during the examination in Purnia and Gaya. The investigating agency has reportedly sought a detailed response from the concerned commission on the issues as part of its inquiry.
The students have demanded that the authorities take the allegations seriously and ensure that any fresh recruitment examination is conducted in a manner that is transparent, impartial and free from irregularities.
The administration's response to the students' demands is awaited, while the EOU investigation into the alleged examination irregularities continues.